X-Nico

5 unusual facts about Nigeria national football team


1990–91 Port Vale F.C. season

Left-back Colin Gibson scored on his debut, having arrived on loan from Manchester United; whilst future-Nigerian international Reuben Agboola also arrived on loan from Sunderland.

1995 U.S. Cup

The four teams included the host United States, along with Mexico, Colombia and Nigeria.

Marine F.C.

The ground's current capacity is 3,185, of which 389 are seated, but in 1949, Marine played host to Nigeria at Rossett Park, and the crowd on that day was over 4,000.

Richards Bay

In May 2010 it was announced that the Nigeria football team would move their base to Richards Bay for the duration of the World Cup.

South Liverpool F.C.

In September 1949, Holly Park hosted the first match in the UK to be played under "permanent" floodlights, a friendly against a Nigerian XI (the first Nigerian side to tour the UK).


Andy Hinchcliffe

Hinchcliffe has stated that he was encouraged to take up a football career from his father who was a season ticket holder at Crewe Alexandra F.C. He was also given a Nigeria national football team shirt with the name Tolu on the back for his 6th Birthday.

Armel Koulara

An agile and sprightly goalkeeper in addition to being a penalty specialist, Armel is Gazelle's first choice penalty taker, following in the footsteps of other goal-scoring 'keepers such as Brazilian Rogério Ceni, Vincent Enyeama of Hapoel Tel Aviv and Nigeria, Hans-Jörg Butt of FC Bayern Munich and José Luis Chilavert, formerly of Paraguay.

Bahador Abdi

He started his international career under head coach Afshin Ghotbi in November 2010 against Nigeria.

Bangabandhu National Stadium

Recently on September 6, 2009 Bangabandhu National Stadium hosted a historical international friendly football match between Argentina and Nigeria, featuring the then record FIFA Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, a milestone for football in the country.

Daniel Amokachi

Daniel Owefin Amokachi (born 30 December 1972 in Kaduna) is a Nigerian former professional footballer of Idoma descent and assistant manager of the Nigeria national football team.

Haruna Babangida

He made his debut for Nigeria on 20 August 2003, in a friendly match which Nigeria lost 0–3 to Japan in Tokyo.

Lodewijk de Kruif

After Samson Siasia left Nigerian club Heartland to manage the Nigerian national team, De Kruif was one of four European coaches named on the shortlist to replace him.

Michael Curcija

Raul Blanco played him in a striking role alongside Mark Viduka in all of Australia's matches against Italy, Nigeria and Honduras, but he did not score as the Olyroos failed to progress beyond the group phase.

Siegfried Bahner

After Samson Siasia left Nigerian club Heartland to manage the Nigerian national team, Bahner was one of four European coaches named on the shortlist to replace him.

Stadion Galgenwaard

Argentina won the final, beating Nigeria 2–1, with 2 goals from Lionel Messi.

Tom Saintfiet

In March 2012, Saintfiet was appointed as the technical director of Nigeria by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).


see also

Sibi Gwar

In June 2010, Argentine football coach Rodolfo Zapata, the former coach of Sunshine Stars FC, named Gwar in a list of players he thought should form the basis of the future Nigeria national football team.